Thiruvananthapuram: Former chief minister and senior CPM leader V.S. Achuthanandan has called for demolition of the flats that have come up in Maradu violating coastal zone regulations and launching of legal action against builders and officials responsible for violation of rules and corruption.
Mr Achuthanandan demanded legal action against builders who deceived the flat owners, officials who gave sanction for illegal construction and black listing of the construction companies involved in building such structures. The Supreme Court verdict directing demolition of flats in Maradu is based on rule of law prevailing in the country, he said.
A section of builders has made it a practice to carry out constructions in violation of rules. “When the violations are pointed out they go to the courts and secure stay order and then use the period for completing the construction and finally selling the flats,” Mr Achuthanandan said. “They are following a business tactics by which they offer flats to some influential persons in society and then sell the flats showcasing these personalities. This practice is being followed by many other builders in the state.”
Mr Achuthanandan said he is currently engaged in a legal fight against the illegal construction of flats in Pattooor which had also been done in the same fashion. “There are many other organisations which are fighting similar cases in courts. The officials do not intervene at the time when such illegal constructions take place and the flats are sold off. But when the legal proceedings get over they say that the liability is that of the public. Such arguments amount to aiding and abetting corruption and illegal activities,” he said.
The CPM leader said political parties should consider these aspects while taking a position on the issue. “They should also discuss the sale of flats which are currently facing legal cases. The builders who cheated the consumers should be blacklisted and they along with officials who gave sanctions out of the way should be brought to justice,” the veteran leader said.
